So on a whim, while Kat and myself were at the mall today we decided to get our ears pierced for the first time ever. Now it didn't occur to me until afterwards that getting our ears pierced might interfere with this whole kickboxing thing. So my question, for any folks here who've had their ears pierced since they've been training, how did having pierced ears interfere with your training/how did you get around it/how did you continue sparring etc. ?

HELPFUL feedback would be appreciated.

10/05/2006 4:23pm,

alex

take them out when you spar or you will regret it. id be surprised if your coach didnt make you take them out anyway

edit- i dont have pierced ears because im not a SISSYMAN but this is what ive observed

10/05/2006 4:32pm,

Torakaka

The lady tells us not to take them out for 6 weeks, but I want to know from people who've actually had this done how they got around that.

10/05/2006 4:35pm,

Neildo

Had some when I was a rebellious punk.

Took them out years ago.

Seen a few too many get ripped out in mosh pits. (it was the early '90s. Stop laughing.)

10/05/2006 4:38pm,

FHoppy

I had my second and third done when I was in the navy. I used to put a small piece of plastic tube in the holes when I was on the boat, to keep the holes open when I couldn't have the studs in.

10/05/2006 4:54pm,

DerAuslander

It's a pretty standard rule as far as sparring at our dojang goes. Ear rings need to be taken out. One good hit, and you can end up with the stud cutting your neck behind your ear. Going for the clinch, or just some random movement could end up with the jewelry getting snagged, which could lead to it getting ripped out.

It's kind of like how roller coasters with head restraints make you take your ear rings out as well.

For people who just got their ears pierced, removing them may not be an option. If this is the case, put a band-aid over the peircing so it wraps around both sides. Spar only light contact if you can.

Honey Badger's idea sounds like it has some merit.

10/05/2006 5:05pm,

Teh El Macho

Girls, if you removed them out right now, the piercing hole in your earlobes may close. That's why it's recommended not to removed them until a few weeks later. That allows proper healing. If you take them out when the piercing is still, you may not be able to put them back on later... not without excessive bleeding and potential infection... I've seen it :tongue6:

I'd wait at least a week before taking them out if I were you.

10/05/2006 5:06pm,

Tom Kagan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kidspatula

So on a whim, while Kat and myself were at the mall today we decided to get our ears pierced for the first time ever. Now it didn't occur to me until afterwards that getting our ears pierced might interfere with this whole kickboxing thing. So my question, for any folks here who've had their ears pierced since they've been training, how did having pierced ears interfere with your training/how did you get around it/how did you continue sparring etc. ?

HELPFUL feedback would be appreciated.

Ugh!

Look at it this way: You have an open sore on the inside of your earlobe. It needs time to heal. However, the more you take the piercing stud in and out and/or rotate it (it is a legit surgical stainless, niobium or titanium stud, right?), the more you are exposing that little lesion to the possibility of infection by pushing bacteria into the cut.

Also, if you get the idea of religious cleaning, keep in mind the more antiseptic you use, the longer it will take to heal because it will also breakdown the healing tissue.

All in all, you guys really had a horrible 'D'OH!' moment by not considering the ramifications to your training . Planning accordingly for some downtime beforehand might have helped.

If you want to keep the pierced ears, your best bet is to not spar and stick to conditioning for the necessary time it will take to heal. Only then you can you starting pulling the stud out and putting it back without potential for complications.

Please tell me at least it was done by a piercing professional and not by one of the piercing gun wielders.

10/05/2006 5:14pm,

Torakaka

lol, it was done at a jewelry store in the mall. If it comes right down to it, we'll likely just ditch the pierced ears. As far as I'm concerned, training is more important than having shiny metal things in my ears.

10/05/2006 5:16pm,

Teh El Macho

Don't ditch them just yet :) Just take a week off. After that, see if it's healed enough to allow their removal.